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It’s time for our next step towards another glorious Bayern Munich treble. The Champions League started with today’s fixture against Tottenham and it served to be a fun and interesting experience while simultaneously underwhelming us.
UCL Group Stage G1: Bayern @ Tottenham
We took a trip up north to London at the shiny new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first game of the Champions League season.
The Bayern lineup we rolled out with was very similar to our last one but with two minor changes:
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
Lewandowski
Sané - Müller - Gnabry
Thiago - Goretzka
Alaba - Hernandez - Süle - Kimmich
Neuer
Tottenham meanwhile trotted out most of their defensive replacements they made after selling Toby Alderweireld to Atletico Madrid this summer. Presnel Kimpembe joined Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)
Kane
Son - Alli - Moura
Sissoko - Ndombele
Kimpembe - Sánchez - Vertonghen - Walker-Peters
Lloris
31’ GOAL from Delle Alli (TOT 1:0 FCB)
This was a defensive brain fart on my part. Tottenham had some great linkup play between Son, Sissoko, Kane and Alli which led to five consecutive one touch passes back and forth with the last finding Alli running to the box to slip one past Manuel Neuer that he should have saved.
37’ GOAL from Leroy Sané (TOT 1:1 FCB)
Not to be outdone, Leroy Sané decided to take the game to another level. A pass from Müller to the wing allowed for Sané to make a run past Kyle Walker-Peters and cut further into the box. After some fancy footwork, he took a shot on net that Hugo Lloris was able to save, but Leroy cleaned up the rebound and watched the ball trickle over the goal line to even the score.
A few more chances defined the time between this goal and the next major event, including a great double chance after Thiago fired a shot off the cross bar and Müller would have bagged a goal if not for Lloris making an excellent save.
67’ SUBSTITUTION: Timo Werner for Thomas Müller (TOT 1:1 FCB)
Thomas was exhausted after carrying this team over the past few games. He wasn’t really able to break forward anymore or make any dribbles, so we needed Werner’s pace and skills and could only hope he wouldn’t mess up.
71’ PENALTY - Yellow Card to Niklas Süle
In the closest thing Tottenham had to a second goal, Süle just mistimed a tackle on Delle Alli in the box and the ref gave them a spot kick.
71’ SUBSTITUTION: Ivan Perisič for Leroy Sané
If Sané stayed on, he’d probably be our MOTM, but he was tired at this point and we wanted fresher legs. The game recommended this one, and I agreed spur of the moment (no pun intended).
71’ PENALTY SAVED: Manuel Neuer on Harry Kane
I’m now 2/2 on PK saves this year. I’m a god.
79’ GOAL from Timo Werner (TOT 1:2 FCB)
A great Alaba run leads to a nice pass to Lewandowski. Lewy was somehow able to dribble through three defenders, including poking the ball under a sliding one, which led to a through ball for Werner. He calmly curled it inside the right post and gave us the lead.
And that was it! Not the prettiest game, but three points nonetheless.
Match Awards
Jersey Swap: Delle Alli
Perfect tonight on dribbles. 19 for 20 on passing. 3 shots, all on target. One goal. Alli had a great stat line tonight and brought all of the pain in terms of the Spurs attack. With Kane, Moura, and Son reduced to non-factors, Alli stepped up and kept his team in the game.
Tip of the Cap: Manuel Neuer
Neither keeper was really bothered tonight, facing a combined 14 shots all game. But if it weren’t for Manu’s penalty save off Harry Kane, we wouldn’t be in the cheery mood we are now.
Golf Clap: Lucas Hernandez
After a dodgy game last time, Hernandez stepped up and really led the defense this game. A perfect 12/12 in his passing game and 9/9 dribbling were complemented by his 3 for 4 tackle rate. He did very well to keep people out and we expect this form to continue.
Standing Ovation: Timo Werner
I don’t regret all of the Timo bashing we did yesterday. But still, let’s acknowledge that he came in clutch. Sure, Lewandowski played him a perfect ball to set that goal up, but in his time out there, he went 5/5 on dribbles and 4/4 on passes. A perfect game for him so far may put him in a starting role if Thomas Müller ever needs resting (like this coming match).
Meister of the Match: Leroy Sané
His goal put us in front. But, more importantly than that, his passing was perfect, he went 5 for 6 on dribbles and all of his shots were on target. The kid is quickly proving his price tag and becoming one of our best players.
Tomorrow, we face 1. FC Köln with the stream going live at 1:00 pm ET (10:00am PT). See you then!